Franklin commissioners say no for second time to masonic cornerstone

CARNESVILLE — Franklin County commissioners have said no for a second time to a request from Masons to install a cornerstone on the EMS building under construction in Lavonia.

The Lavonia chapter of the Masons has made the request regarding the structure being built on Gerrard Road in the Lavonia Industrial Park. The initial request was made at a work session in February and was voted down then by the County Board of Commissioners.

When commission Chairman Thomas Bridges called for a motion about the issue at a meeting this week, the request died again for lack of a motion.

Commissioner Clint Harper said in February that he was concerned that a Masonic cornerstone would be seen as political advertising.

“A lot of it is political,” Harper said. “This belongs to the citizens of Franklin County. They paid for it. As commissioners we didn’t have a lot to do with it either way. It’s advertisement, and advertisement for politicians also.”

Commissioner Bob Franklin said he was concerned that if the county allowed the Masons to put up a cornerstone with the group’s symbol on it, other groups would want their symbols placed on other buildings.

The county commission heard at a work session last week from Steve Wooten, the district deputy to the grand master of the Masons in Georgia. Wooten said the cornerstone is not about advertising or making a political statement. The stone would be placed in remembrance of those who serve their communities, he said.

“It says, ‘Since time immemorial, when Masons have been asked to do so, Masons have laid the cornerstones of public and charitable institutions, monuments and seats of learning,’” Wooten said, referring to Mason bylaws. “Designed to outlast all other materials so that when that eternal ocean whose waves or years have engulfed all who attended the ceremonies, the cornerstone will remain to tell the passer-by its inscription, that were once existed on that desolate spot, a monument consecrated to some sacred or benevolent purpose.”

But at a meeting Monday night, Commissioner Jeff Jacques said the Mason’s bylaws also indicate a cornerstone must be requested.

“In looking at the bylaws, I have found over 20 instances in which it says in no instance is it proper for the Masons to lay a cornerstone in any other than a public or Masonic edifice,” Jacques said, “and then only by special request by the proper authorities, which in this case would be by the board of commissioners.”

Jacques said he was unaware of any county commissioner making such a request of the Masons.

Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas, a member of the Lavonia lodge, said Monday that while the lodge had not been solicited by the county, it would still be a good idea to honor those who have served as emergency medical technicians in the city.

“I don’t see why there’s a problem with it,” Thomas told the board. “All we want to do is put a monument there in remembrance of past, present and future public safety personnel.”